OCTOBER 17, 2003

Fiji is first developing country to ratify tobacco treaty

The South Pacific island nation of Fiji has become the first developing country to ratify the World Health Organization's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), which seeks to ban tobacco sponsorship around the world. This is a significant step as tobacco companies, driven out of the developed countries, have been targeting the developing world instead. Fiji is only the third nation to ratify the treaty, following in the footsteps of Norway and Malta. The treaty will come into effect 90 days after the 40th country ratifies the agreement.

Fiji's signing will have no direct effect on the motorsport world but it does indicate that in the future, moving races to the developing world to avoid anti-tobacco legislation may not be an option.